• LemmyIsFantastic@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    White collar has nothing to do with skilled or not. It’s a calculation on time and cost to replace.

    I don’t know anything about lathe operators but it’s very clear that it’s harder to replace engineers vs cooking fast food.

    • KevonLooney@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      You’re comparing the bottom person at a restaurant with a mid level engineer. You should be comparing an engineering intern with a dishwasher or something. Both are somewhat replaceable (but try running anything without them).

      Compare an actual engineer with a restaurant manager or head chef. Both of those require experience and education.

      • LemmyIsFantastic@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        An entry level engineer is going to have 2 years of additional math, or coding, or whatever after highschool. I was cooking burgers and running a register at 14. It’s easy to learn. Most people can cook a burger as a part of their existence, no training but the specific way they want. Far far more easy to replace and train.

    • jaybone@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I don’t think the issue is with the term skilled, I think it’s with labor.

      Unskilled labor is McDonald’s.

      Skilled labor would be like a machinist or a plumber.

      It takes a lot of training, maybe an apprenticeship, etc. maybe even vocational school.